Testimony of Chris Cabrera, on behalf of the National Border Patrol Council, in front of United States Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee March 17, 2015

"Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Carper, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to testify on behalf of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) and the 16,500 Border Patrol Agents that it represents.

The National Border Patrol Council, the union that represents more than 16,500 Border Patrol agents, congratulates Congress for today’s passage of a “Clean Bill” to fund DHS.

But the NBPC demands Washington politicians stop playing games with Border Patrol agents’ well-being and financial security.

Politicians are quick to declare their support for the Border Patrol, said Brandon Judd, the union’s president. “But don’t just tell us you support agents,” he said. “We demand that Congress and the White House show us and stop using our agents as political pawns.”

The National Border Patrol Council, the union that represents more than 16,500 Border Patrol agents, calls on Washington politicians to stop playing games with the financial security of agents.

Politicians are quick to declare their support for the Border Patrol, said Brandon Judd, the union’s president. “But don’t just tell us you support agents,” he said. “Now is the time to show us. We demand that Congress fund the Border Patrol regardless of their disagreements with the White House over immigration policy.” Lawmakers need to protect those who protect our nation, Judd said.

The National Border Patrol Council commends Sen. Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, for spending the day talking with Border Patrol agents about our nation’s security.

Last month, the House of Representatives sought to push through legislation that would have done little to secure our borders. At that time NBPC President Brandon Judd invited members of Congress to visit the Southwest border to hear from agents on what can and must be done to protect our nation.